Sunday 5 June 2016 20:24, UK
Following the decision to expand the European Championship finals to 24 teams, Sky Sports takes a look at five teams who share Wales and Northern Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the tournament for the first time.
A Gareth Bale-inspired Wales have soared to the top of the Group B standings of the European Qualifiers, while Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland remain just one point behind Group F leaders Romania. The two sides are agonisingly close to reaching their first Euro finals - alongside five other hopefuls.
With Iceland, Israel, Cyprus, Slovakia and Albania all vying for a spot in next summer's tournament in France, David Bowers examines the quintet's campaigns ahead of this week's crucial qualifiers.
ICELAND
The story so far
Despite being drawn in Group A alongside 1988 champions Netherlands and former semi-finalists Turkey (2008) and Czech Republic (2004), Iceland are in pole position to secure automatic qualification for next summer's tournament in France.
Following comfortable 3-0 wins over Turkey and Latvia, the Scandinavian side secured a sensational 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in Reykjavik in October 2014 to further boost their hopes of qualification - although those hopes were slightly dented after their 2-1 defeat to the Czechs a month later.
However, Iceland bounced back in March to claim a 3-0 win over bottom-side Kazakhstan, before a hugely important 2-1 victory over their Czech counterparts sent them two points clear at the top of the standings.
A tricky fixture in Amsterdam awaits on Thursday, September 3, before they play host to Kazakhstan and Latvia, with a trip to Turkey finishing off proceedings in October. Despite two tough away trips, the snappily-nicknamed 'Strakarnir okkar' ('Our boys') will be in high spirits having accumulated 15 points over six games, while conceding just three goals in the process.
Star player - Gylfi Sigurdsson
Fans of the Premier League will need no introduction to the talented Sigurdsson; a wonderfully effortless playmaker who possesses supreme technical ability.
The Swansea midfielder's four goals - which includes a brace against the Netherlands - have been crucial in Iceland's surge towards the top of the standings. The 25-year-old tops Group A's goalscoring charts alongside Klaas-Jan Huntelaar of the Netherlands and Czech Republic's Borek Dockal.
Coaches - Lars Lagerback and Heimir Hallgrimsson
Unusually, Iceland are co-managed by former Sweden coach Lagerback and ex-IBV boss Hallgrimsson.
Lagerback led Sweden to qualification for every European Championship finals during his spell from 2000 to 2009, which includes a spot in the 2004 quarter-finals, where they were cruelly knocked out on penalties by Group A rivals Netherlands.
Meanwhile, 48-year-old Hallgrimsson took charge of Icelandic side IBV in 2006 and, despite suffering relegation in 2007, managed to secure two third-place finishes in a row in 2010 and 2011. Following next summer's tournament, Lagerback will retire, with his co-boss set to take over the reins.
The duo have opted to deploy a rigid 4-4-2 system so far, with Sigurdsson occasionally operating as a striker alongside Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, who has just moved to French side Nantes following spells at Dutch clubs AZ Alkmaar and Ajax.
UK-based players
Cardiff City midfielder Aron Gunnarsson captains Iceland and has 51 caps for the country, alongside Charlton Athletic's 24-year-old winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson and the aforementioned Sigurdsson.
Interesting statistic
Former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen - who was called-up for the game with Czech Republic in June - made his international debut in 1996 by replacing his father Arnor, which was the first time a father and son had played in the same international match.
Expert's view - Icelandic football analyst @johanno12
What's been the key to Iceland's success in qualifying thus far?
The stability in the starting lineup has been a big factor. It has been the same through most games while there have been no injuries to key players. That, coupled with how highly organised the team is under Lagerback and Hallgrimsson, has made Iceland into a well-drilled machine.
Can they finish the job and reach the finals?
Two wins out of the last four should see them through, as the Netherlands and the Czech Republic still have to play each other. Iceland has home games against Kazahkstan and Latvia that, with all due respect, they should win.
Iceland's games away to the Netherlands on Thursday September 3 (7.40pm) and at home to Kazakhstan on Sunday September 6 (7.45pm, Red Button) are both live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
ISRAEL
The story so far
Wales' heroics have undoubtedly dominated the Group B headlines, but the impressive Israel have silenced many critics during their qualifying campaign.
The Middle Eastern side got off to the perfect start following successive wins over Cyprus, Andorra and Bosnia and Herzegovina, scoring nine goals in the process to send them to the top of the standings.
However, defeats to Wales, Belgium and Bosnia have moved them down into third place; leaving them two points behind Belgium and four adrift of Chris Coleman's Wales.
Israel's next home games are against relatively comfortable opposition in Andorra (September 3) and Cyprus (October 10), but difficult trips to Wales (September 6) and Belgium (October 13) await. Any results other than victories in Haifa on Thursday and Jerusalem next month are likely to end Israel's dreams of qualification, but a glimmer of hope remains.
Star player - Omer Damari
Damari's five goals during Israel's first three games - including a hat-trick against Andorra - have made him the joint-top scorer in Group B alongside Welshman Bale and Bosnia's Edin Dzeko.
The Red Bull Salzburg striker is one of nine players to have scored five goals during qualifying, with Poland's Robert Lewandowski (seven) and England's Danny Welbeck (six) the only strikers to have managed more.
Having scored half of his side's goal tally in the group, an injury to Damari has dealt a huge blow to Israel's chances of qualification - with the 26-year-old expected to miss the double-header with Andorra and Wales due to a broken foot.
Coach - Eli Guttman
Guttman has been in charge of Israel since 2011 and has won eight games during a 26-game spell, leaving the 57-year-old with a 30.77% win percentage.
During a 23-year career as a coach, Guttman has managed 11 different clubs across Israel and Cyprus, and helped lead Hapoel Tel Aviv to their first Champions League group stage qualification in the 2010/11 season.
Guttman has opted to use various formations throughout Israel's tournament so far, with a 4-5-1 tactic helping his side to a comfortable 4-1 win over Andorra and a hugely impressive 3-0 victory over Bosnia.
However, having played a different 4-3-3 formation during the defeats to Wales, Belgium and Bosnia, Guttman could revert to his trusty 4-5-1 for the next round of fixtures.
UK-based players
Brighton duo Beram Kayal and Tomer Hemed were both included in Guttman's squad for their match with Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12, alongside Kayal's former Celtic teammate Nir Bitton.
Interesting statistic
Israel remained unbeaten throughout their World Cup 2006 qualifying campaign (W4 D6), yet failed to progress through to the tournament after losing out to Switzerland on goal difference.
Expert's view - Israeli football journalist @Raphael_Gellar
What's been the key to Israel's success in qualifying thus far?
The group is very tight and even a tiny country like Cyprus (estimated population 1.1m, compared to Israel's 8.2m) is in the hunt for a top-three finish. Because of this, every match is incredibly important and you essentially have five teams competing for three spots. When Israel was able to beat Bosnia 3-0 in November, many believed this would finally be the campaign that would see Israel qualify.
Can they finish the job and reach the finals?
Israel should be able to get six points from Andorra and Cyprus. It all comes down to the match-up against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday, September 6. If Israel can get three points or, more realistically, one point, we will be set to secure at least the third spot.
Israel's games at home to Andorra on Thursday September 3 (7.45pm, Red Button) and away to Wales on Sunday September 6 (4.30pm) are both live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
CYPRUS
The story so far
Despite a mixed campaign for Cyprus, they remain firmly in the race to qualify for their first-ever major tournament.
It's been a tale of three 2-1s for the Cypriots, having secured a shock victory in Bosnia and Herzegovina, before losing narrowly to Israel and Wales in October 2014.
However, their quest for qualification got back on track in explosive style following a 5-0 win over Andorra - matching their biggest-ever international win, which came against the same opponents in 2000.
They recovered from a thumping 5-0 defeat to Belgium by claiming a 3-1 win over Andorra in June, leaving them level on points with Israel in third with home games against Wales (September 3) and Bosnia (October 13) sandwiching a tricky trip to Israel on October 10.
Star player - Demetris Christofi
Christofi claimed a brace in Cyprus' unlikely opening win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, while chipping in with a goal during the 5-0 demolition of Andorra. His form earned him an £600,000 move to AC Omonia; the most expensive transfer in Cypriot football history.
The 26-year-old forward has also laid on three goals for his team-mates during the campaign, leaving him just one behind Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri and Poland's Arkadiusz Milik in the assist charts.
Coach - Pambos Christodoulou
Following spells at Doxa Katokopias and Olympiakos Nicosia, Christodoulou made the switch to AEL Limassol in 2011 and helped the club to their first league title since 1968.
After a short six-game spell at Anorthosis Famagusta, the 47-year-old was appointed as the national team coach in January 2014 and has secured five wins in his first nine matches.
In five of Cyprus' six qualifying games so far, Christodoulou has used a 4-5-1 formation and has looked to pack the midfield - which worked in the away wins at Andorra and Bosnia. However, during the 5-0 home win against Andorra, the Cypriot coach deployed a more attacking 4-4-2 formation with key player Christofi moving into a more central role up top.
UK-based players
Despite being born in Newham, Walsall defender Jason Demetriou is the only British-based player in the Cypriot squad. After coming through the ranks at Leyton Orient, the 27-year-old right-back spent five years in Cyprus at AEK Larnaca and Anorthosis Famagusta before making a move to the Saddlers in July.
Interesting statistic
Georgios Efrem, who scored a hat-trick against Andorra, spent three years in Arsenal's academy as a youngster before moving to Rangers in 2007, where he failed to make an appearance. The winger had a brief loan spell at Dundee in 2009, where he scored two goals in eight games.
Expert's view - @cyprusfooty
What's been the key to the success of Cyprus in qualifying thus far?
A new manager who knows the talent and potential in this team - Pambos Christodoulou is not afraid to take risks to get results. At 47 years old, he is the youngest manager we've ever had to manage the national side.
Can they finish the job and reach the finals?
If they get results at home and everyone stays fit, then I really think second or third place in Group B is not too far to reach. One young player to watch out for is Constantinos Laifis of Anorthosis Famagusta - although he's a defensive player at heart, he played in six different positions last season for club and country, and was named the best young player in Cyprus.
Cyprus's games at home to Wales on Thursday September 3 (7pm) and Belgium on Sunday September 6 (7.15pm) are both live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
SLOVAKIA
The story so far
Despite being drawn alongside three-time champions Spain, Slovakia remain on course to finish at the top of Group C following their 100% record so far.
After securing a shock win away to Ukraine on the opening weekend, Slovakia claimed a sensational 2-1 victory over Spain in Zilina a month later - the Spaniards' first qualifying defeat in eight years.
'Repre' continued their excellent start with wins over Belarus and Luxembourg, alongside two victories against Macedonia, to leave them three points clear of Spain having conceded just three goals.
A difficult game in Spain awaits on Saturday, September 5, before they host Ukraine in Zilina three days later. Regardless of their final four results, the Slovaks are guaranteed a spot in the play-offs at least, but a victory in Oviedo will turn their automatic qualification hopes into a very real possibility.
Star player - Marek Hamsik
Hamsik's brace in Belarus and his strike against Macedonia have made him the group's joint-top scorer alongside Ukraine's Andriy Yarmolenko and Spain duo Paco Alcacer and David Silva.
The Napoli playmaker, who is a four-time winner of the Slovak Footballer of the Year award, has often been recognised as Slovakia's greatest-ever player having scored 15 goals in 78 appearances for his country.
Coach - Jan Kozak
The 61-year-old Kozak has been in charge of Slovakia since 2013, and has lost just three times in the 20 games he's managed.
A former Czechoslovakia international, Kozak picked up 55 caps as a midfielder and made an appearance at Euro 1980 in Italy where he helped guide his country to a third-place finish following a 9-8 penalty shootout win over the hosts.
Kozak has opted to use a 4-5-1 formation throughout the campaign so far with Hamsik supporting lone striker Adam Nemec, while defensive midfielders Viktor Pecovsky and Juraj Kucka have been given the task of protecting a defence that includes Liverpool's Martin Skrtel.
UK-based players
The aformentioned Skrtel is currently the captain of Slovakia, while ex-Manchester City winger Vladimir Weiss, now of Qatari club Lekhwiya, is in the squad. Goalkeeper Jan Mucha, formerly of Everton, is also in the side along with ex-Leeds defender Lubomir Michalik and former Chelsea winger Miroslav Stoch.
Interesting statistic
No team has ever won a qualifying game with fewer possession than Slovakia had during their win over Spain, with Kozak's men having just 28.3% of the ball.
Expert's view - Slovakian football journalist @LukasVrablik
What's been the key to Slovakia's success in qualifying thus far?
Jan Kozak has totally changed the attitude of players and the playing style, which became more courageous and fluid. Players respect him and believe in his decisions. He also managed to find the best position on the pitch for Hamsik. While being a star in Serie A, he was criticised for his performances in the national team. Kozak gave him freedom and it works - Hamsik is the most important player in Slovakia's attack.
Can they finish the job and reach the finals?
I think they will qualify from one of the two places. Almost nobody expected victory in Ukraine, and fewer still against Spain. They managed it - they have won all six matches that have been played so far. There is a big mental strength in the squad and the players believe in themselves; that had not been obvious at all before.
Slovakia's game away to Spain on Saturday September 5 is live on Sky Sports 5 HD from 7.40pm.
ALBANIA
The story so far
In a group that contains Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Christian Eriksen's Denmark, it's Albania who remain the only unbeaten side so far.
Group I got off to a wonderful start for the Albanians, who claimed a famous 1-0 win over Portugal in Aveiro thanks to Bekim Balaj's goal. They almost claimed another win in Elbasan when the Danes came to town, but Lasse Vibe's late equaliser cancelled out Ermir Lenjani's first-half goal.
However, the most memorable game of their campaign was unfortunately for the wrong reasons, with their match in Serbia being abandoned due to fighting between players and fans after a political banner was flown into the Partizan Stadium. A 3-0 win was awarded to Albania, which moved them to the top of the group.
A dramatic victory in their next game against Armenia preserved Albania's unbeaten record, with Mergim Mavraj and Shkelzen Gashi scoring in the final 13 minutes to secure a 2-1 win at the Elbasan Arena.
Due to Group I having just five teams, Albania have a crucial game in hand over Portugal and Denmark, who sit just two points ahead of the Balkan side. A trip to Copenhagen awaits on Friday, September 4, with home games against Portugal (September 7) and Serbia (October 8) coming before their final fixture in Armenia on October 11.
Star player - Lorik Cana
Sunderland fans may not have fond memories of Lorik Cana, but the current Albania captain has been pivotal in his country's success so far.
The 32-year-old is Albania's most capped player of all time having made 84 appearances, and has been playing in central defence throughout their campaign - with his side conceding just two goals in their opening four games.
With Cana nearing the end of his international career, the Nantes man will be keen to guide Albania to their first-ever major tournament, with his side finishing bottom of their group on five separate occasions during their Euro qualifying history.
Coach - Gianni De Biasi
Former Udinese manager Gianni De Biasi has been in charge of the Shqiponjat since 2011, and has an impressive win percentage of 46.67% following 30 games in charge.
De Biasi has used a 4-5-1 formation so far, with Swiss-born defender Taulant Xhaka, brother of Monchengladbach's Switzerland international Granit, being moved into a more unfamiliar defensive midfield role alongside Burim Kukeli and Amir Abrashi.
Despite De Biasi's willingness to play just one striker in the form of Balaj, Albania have scored seven goals from their opening four games, with only Denmark (eight in five matches) managing more.
The Italian coach told FIFA.com earlier this month: "My role is to find a tactical system that brings the best out of them. I'm always looking for the right balance between imagination and collective discipline, and my players can now pick each other out with their eyes closed."
Interesting statistic
Despite fielding a weakened side, Albania claimed their first-ever win over France following June's 1-0 friendly victory in Elbasan. Ergis Kace's stunning free kick was enough to secure the win over a team that included Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud.
The win moved Albania up to their highest-ever FIFA ranking of 22 - one place ahead of their French counterparts.
Expert's view - Ilir Muja of @Albanian_Soccer
What's been the key to Albania's success in qualifying thus far?
It's a very well organised team with great leadership, and a combination of both experienced and young talented players. De Biasi has turned this tiny Balkan nation into a squad full of belief, playing attractive football. The Albanian government have even rewarded De Biasi with Albanian citizenship for his great work ethic - he's nicknamed 'Gani Abazi'.
Can they finish the job and reach the finals?
This is a very tight group. Albania's fate rests on the next two qualifiers against Denmark and Portugal. That being said, they have been making history with results - but the work is not done yet. De Biasi has stated that the upcoming game with Denmark is 'the match of his life'.
Albania's games away to Denmark on Friday September 4 and at home to Portugal on Monday September 7 are both available on the Red Button live on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7.45pm.
